"Once you arrive at Shrek Academy, give this letter of recommendation to the dean. He'll know what to do."
Yu Xiaogang left the letter of recommendation and told Tang Yin where Shrek Academy was before turning to leave.
After Yu Xiaogang had gone, Xiao Wu asked, "Tang Yin, are we really going to that Shrek Academy he mentioned?"
"Of course not." Tang Yin grinned. "Did I actually promise him that I'd go to Shrek Academy?"
Xiao Wu stared at him for a moment, then grinned cheekily.
Tang Yin went on, "Besides, I know a little about Shrek Academy. It has a strong teaching staff, but you could say it has no campus at all. They just rented a village and called it an academy."
"Huh? What kind of academy is that?" Xiao Wu gasped, her face full of shock.
Tang Yin shrugged and continued packing.
A little while later.
The two left Notting Academy together, hired a fairly well-equipped carriage, and set off at once for Suotuo City in the Balak Kingdom. After two bumpy days on the road, they finally arrived.
The carriage slowed to a stop in front of Suotuo City's west gate, and a handsome young man and a pretty girl stepped down.
They were none other than Tang Yin and Xiao Wu.
Tang Yin wore a black-and-gray outfit. He stood five feet tall, and his handsome face, paired with hair the color of Blue Silver Grass, made him stand out.
Xiao Wu wore a pink-and-white outfit, her long scorpion braid reaching down to her calves. She was about as tall as Tang Yin.
Over the past four years, Xiao Wu had eaten well and trained regularly, giving her a perfect figure—especially those long, shapely legs.
As soon as the two stepped out of the carriage, passersby began turning to look at them.
"We're finally here!"
"My poor butt's about to split in two!"
"I'm never riding in a carriage again!"
Xiao Wu pouted her pink lips and complained in a sweet voice.
Tang Yin couldn't help laughing aloud, drawing a resentful look from Xiao Wu.
Still chuckling, Tang Yin said, "We're almost at Suotuo Intermediate Soul Master Academy. Just hang in there a little longer."
"Tang Yin, I don't want to walk anymore. Can you carry me?" Xiao Wu clung to him, wheedling.
"Fine, fine. You're impossible to say no to." Tang Yin glanced around. Carrying a girl on his back in front of everyone made him feel awkward.
Xiao Wu, however, felt no such embarrassment. The moment Tang Yin agreed, she had already leaped onto his back.
Unlike other Soul Master Academies, Suotuo Intermediate Soul Master Academy was located right inside the city.
With Xiao Wu on his back, Tang Yin wandered through the city as they searched for the academy. Before long, they reached its entrance.
The fact that the academy was named after Suotuo alone spoke volumes about its standing.
Of course, that didn't mean its teaching staff was especially strong.
The dean was only a Soul Emperor.
It was enrollment season, and Tang Yin and Xiao Wu had the academy's invitation letter. With their own abilities to back it up, they completed registration without a hitch.
The academy took the two of them very seriously. After all, they were only ten years old and already Soul Grandmasters, so the academy waived their tuition fees.
"Xiao Wu, the girls' dorm is over there. Your room is Room Five on the first floor. Tang Yin, come with me. I'll show you to the boys' dorm." A teacher led the two toward the dormitory buildings.
Xiao Wu frowned. "Teacher, can't I share a room with Tang Yin?"
The teacher froze, and the look he gave Tang Yin turned subtly strange.
Tang Yin hurriedly covered Xiao Wu's mouth and said with an awkward smile, "Teacher, don't get the wrong idea. Xiao Wu and I used to be Work-Study Students at our old academy, and Work-Study Students weren't separated by gender."
The teacher nodded in understanding. "I see. Xiao Wu, the boys' and girls' dorms are separate here. Each room houses two students, and the conditions are good. You can rest easy."
Xiao Wu pouted. "All right."
"Xiao Wu, go on ahead. I'll come find you in a bit," Tang Yin said with a smile.
Xiao Wu said softly, "Then hurry and come find me. I'm still hungry."
Tang Yin nodded with a smile.
After Xiao Wu left, he followed the teacher to the door of his own Room Ten.
"For now, you'll be living here by yourself. How does that sound?" the teacher asked with a smile.
"Pretty good." Tang Yin nodded, satisfied.
"Good. Here's your key; keep it safe. There are still a few days until classes begin, so you can look around and get familiar with the place." With that, the teacher turned and left.
Tang Yin looked around the room, took his daily necessities out of his Storage Soul Tool, and quickly put everything away. Then he shut the door and went to look for Xiao Wu downstairs in the girls' dorm.
A short while later, Tang Yin arrived outside Room Five on the first floor of the girls' dorm. He found Xiao Wu alone, sitting on her bed in a daze with nothing to do.
"Xiao Wu!" Tang Yin called with a smile.
Hearing that familiar voice, Xiao Wu looked up excitedly. "Tang Yin, you're finally here! My stomach's been growling!"
"Come on! Let's go out for a feast!" Tang Yin said with a grin.
"Yay!" Xiao Wu bounced excitedly over to him.
Having just arrived in a big city like Suotuo City, Xiao Wu was curious about everything around her. She kept glancing about, taking it all in.
Tang Yin was generous with her, too. Whatever Xiao Wu liked, he bought for her.
Over the past four years, his wages from the Blacksmith Shop had gradually increased. On top of that, Spirit Hall gave Soul Masters a monthly allowance of ten Gold Soul Coins for Soul Grandmasters.
Even after covering their daily expenses, Tang Yin and Xiao Wu had still managed to save quite a bit. That would help them live comfortably in this big city.
The two stopped in front of a lovely-looking restaurant and studied it. After a moment, they exchanged smiles and went inside.
The first-floor dining hall was already bustling with customers. Tang Yin and Xiao Wu found a seat in the corner and sat down to order.
"Wow!"
"I've never seen any of these dishes in Nuoding City. They must be delicious!"
Xiao Wu studied the menu and licked the corner of her mouth.
"Beautiful girl, order whatever you like. It's on me." A red-haired, fat young man with eyes so narrow they nearly disappeared when he squinted walked over.
Tang Yin turned his gaze away from Xiao Wu and looked in surprise at the red-haired fat boy who had come up to them.
"Fatty, you're trying to hit on the girl I like right in front of me!"
"Don't you think you're being a little too arrogant?"
Tang Yin's sudden words made the red-haired fat boy frown. Xiao Wu also stared at him in surprise.
"Mind your own business! I wasn't talking to you!"
"Why are you butting in?"
The red-haired fat boy squinted at Tang Yin and curled his lip disdainfully.
"Looks like no one ever taught you how to spell 'manners.' Since that's the case, I'll do you the kindness of teaching you!" Tang Yin's voice turned cold. He raised his left hand high, then brought it crashing down.
In an instant.
A Forging Hammer, resembling the Mutated Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul, suddenly appeared in his hand.
Tang Yin struck without hesitation.
There hadn't been the slightest warning.
The huge hammerhead stopped a mere inch from the red-haired fat boy's nose, but its gusting wind slammed into his face.
"Gulp!"
The red-haired fat boy's face turned deathly pale. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead and cheeks.